what they said

"It's an album about essence, the essential things. The things that are cast in the way of the non-essential things and realising what those essential things are: family, friendship, it all adds up." - Bono on All That You Can't Leave Behind

did you know

The Picture of Dorian Grey mentioned in the song 'The Ocean' is a novel by Oscar Wilde, the Irish author who has been a huge influence on Bono's lyrics. In referring to it, Bono mocks his own vanity in thinking a rock star can change the world.